Michael Collins (Irish leader)

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Michael Collins (Irish: Mícheál Ó Coileáin; 16 October 1890 – 22 August 1922) was an Irish revolutionary, soldier, and politician who was a leading figure in the early-20th-century struggle for Irish independence. He was a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB), the Irish Volunteers, and later the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Collins played a crucial role in the Easter Rising of 1916 and the subsequent Irish War of Independence.

Early Life

Michael Collins was born in Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland. He was the youngest of eight children. His father, also named Michael, was a farmer who instilled in him a strong sense of Irish nationalism. Collins attended local schools and later moved to London where he worked as a clerk in the Post Office Savings Bank.

Revolutionary Activities

Collins joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood in 1909 and became deeply involved in the Irish nationalist movement. He returned to Ireland in 1916 to participate in the Easter Rising, a failed insurrection against British rule. Although the Rising was suppressed, it marked a turning point in Irish history and led to increased support for Irish independence.

Role in the War of Independence

During the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921), Collins served as the Director of Intelligence for the Irish Republican Army. He was instrumental in organizing guerrilla warfare tactics against British forces. Collins also played a key role in the establishment of the Dáil Éireann, the revolutionary parliament of the Irish Republic.

Anglo-Irish Treaty

In 1921, Collins was one of the plenipotentiaries sent to London to negotiate the Anglo-Irish Treaty with the British government. The treaty, signed in December 1921, established the Irish Free State as a self-governing dominion within the British Commonwealth. However, it also led to a split within the nationalist movement, as many republicans opposed the treaty's acceptance of partition and the oath of allegiance to the British Crown.

Civil War and Death

The signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty led to the Irish Civil War (1922-1923) between pro-treaty and anti-treaty forces. Collins, as Chairman of the Provisional Government and Commander-in-Chief of the National Army, was a leading figure on the pro-treaty side. On 22 August 1922, Collins was ambushed and killed by anti-treaty forces in an attack at Béal na Bláth in County Cork.

Legacy

Michael Collins is remembered as one of the most important figures in Irish history. His contributions to the struggle for independence and his role in shaping the modern Irish state have left a lasting legacy. Numerous monuments and memorials have been erected in his honor, and he remains a symbol of Irish nationalism.

Related Pages

• Irish Republican Brotherhood
• Irish Volunteers
• Irish Republican Army
• Easter Rising
• Irish War of Independence
• Anglo-Irish Treaty
• Irish Civil War
• Dáil Éireann
• Irish Free State